Page 117 of Obsession

He’d sent her a picture of him holding the said book. Even now, she was smiling at the picture. Mihir sending her a selfie was so out of the realm of her imagination. She knew how much he hated clicking pictures. More texts followed.

Hope you’re feeling good today

It’s been a week. Please talk to me. I miss you

Can I come with you when you go to see your doctor?

She hadn’t gone to a doctor yet, but she had taken an appointment for this week. She had to start on whatever vitamins they prescribed.

She looked back at her laptop. Only two weeks remained for Noir’s anniversary issue to be out, and yesterday, Mihir had sent her the most shocking text.

I’m okay to do a photoshoot for the Noir interview, if that’s still an option

He had definitely caught her attention with that. She knew how he hated having his photos taken. And now, he was agreeing to a full-fledged photoshoot. It was huge. She’d texted him back immediately.

Are you sure?

Finally. I knew that would get your attention. And yes, I am sure

Ananya: If you do this, then I’ll put you on the front page and the centerfold. So, think again

I want to be at the front and center of your life. So this is nothing. Tell me when and where, and I’ll be there

She hadn’t responded after that. She’d immediately organized the photoshoot. Her assistant had arranged everything with Mihir. Ananya checked the time on her phone. The photoshoot was happening right now atThe Komobay Beach Bar. Avantika’s family owned this restaurant, and since Avantika was the photographer in charge, it made sense to do it at a location of her choosing.

Her phone beeped. It was her sisters on their chat group. They, too, were worried about her, and they had tried to meet her as well. So far, she’d put them off by telling them she needed a little more time to come to terms with everything. As expected, they were giving her the space she needed.

She still hadn’t told anyone else about the baby. Sheena would support her for sure. Her parents would definitely be upset, but knowing them, she was confident that they would support her too. Rajiv was the only one whose reaction she feared the most. He would go ballistic once he learned that Mihir was the father of her baby. He’d first want to hurt Mihir and then talk. That scenario was awful. It would ruin Rajiv’s friendship with Mihir. But she couldn’t keep him in the dark forever. She’d have to tell all of them soon.

Her phone beeped. She frowned when she saw a message from Avantika.

Mihir is refusing to do the photoshoot

She replied back immediately.

What? Why?

He says he’ll do it only if you’re here

Bloody fucking hell

Well, if you want the shoot to be done, you better get here. I don’t have all day to deal with your lovers’ quarrel

It’s not like that

We’ll talk about that later. Get your ass down here ASAP

Gathering her bag, Ananya hurried out of her office. What was wrong with Mihir? She’d organized this shoot only after his concurrence. Why the hell was he behaving difficult now? She had to go find out and give him a piece of her mind.

* * *

Twenty minutes later,Ananya reached the area by the beach that Avi had chosen for the shoot. Through the glass windows, she could see everything had already been set up.

She opened the doors and stepped into the late evening sunlight. Squinting, she looked this way and that, and finally found Mihir standing by a tall table, working on his laptop. He was dressed in a charcoal gray suit, black shirt, and a black tie. Black aviator glasses sat on his nose, and his hair was styled back. Even though she was mad at him, she couldn’t deny how hot he looked. His pictures would come out fabulous, she was certain. That is, once she got him to do the shoot.

From the side, she saw Avantika approaching her, a glass of iced latte in her hand.

“You’re here, good!” Avi offered her the coffee. “You sounded mad in the text earlier, so I got this ready for you.”

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